Mounting means



April 4, 1967 I H. H. MALONE 3,312,435

MOUNTING MEANS Filed Sept. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HAROLD H. MALONE April 1957 H. H. MALONE 3,312,435

MOUNTING MEANS Filed Sept. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 86 INVENTOR. 89 89 HAROLD H. MALONE United States Patent Ofiice 3,312,435 Patented Apr. 4, 1967 3,312,435 MOUNTING MEANS Harold H. Malone, 702 Bitting Bldg, Wichita, Kans. 67202 Filed Sept. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 394,886 7 Claims. (Cl. 248-115) This invention relates to new mounting means, more particularly to a releasable means for supporting a timepiece. Still more specifically the invention relates to a clip means adapted to be releasably secured to a board, pad of paper, or the like which clip means has a mounting means adapted to releasably support a wrist watch thereon.

Mounting means for supporting timepieces are known is in the art. These known mountings means have various structural and functional comings which have caused inconvenience and generally limited their universal acceptance. In some of these mounting means the face of the watch is partially covered which makes viewing of the face of the watch diflicult, particularly when it is desired to quickly and accurately record increments of time. Other of the known watch mounting means are fixedly secured to the support means which makes it difiicult to remove the watch for other uses, winding, setting, servicing, etc. Also shock vibration, etc., are transmitted to the watch from the support means often causing the movement of the watch to become damaged. Often the known types of the mounting means cannot be adapted to accept different types and sizes of timepieces. Replacement of a damaged or otherwise inoperative timepiece often is difficult and may in certain instances render the mounting means worthless if a timepiece replacement cannot be obtained. In addition the prior art mounting means are not constructed and adapted so that the watch means can be easily mounted on and removed from the support means with little or no modification to the support means.

In accordance with the present invention, new and improved wa-tch mounting means are provided. The watch mounting means of my invention includes a watch means having a case with spaced connection means thereon, and a resilient mounting element having portions engaging the connection means on the case. The mounting element has a portion to mount said watch in viewing position relative a horizontal surface.

The new mounting means of my invention solves the problems associated with known mounting means. In my mounting means the timepiece, more particularly a wrist watch, can be easily, quickly and conveniently mounted on same. No tools, gadgets, or the like are necessary in order to secure the watch on the mounting means. The mounting means of my invention is adapted to accept very nearly any size and model of wrist watch. No adjustments, etc., are necessary in order to make it accept a different size of watch. Further, the watch is resiliently and yet firmly and securely supported on the mounting means. This reduces the likelihood of shock, vibration, etc., which may damage the watch, will be transmitted to same from the mounting support. The mounting means of my invention can easily be attached to any relatively thin object such as a writing board, pad of papers, tablet, etc. Further my mounting means is relatively inexpensive to produce. This factor should make commercial exploitation of the mounting means very easy.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide new mounting means for watches.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new mounting means consisting of a clip adapted to be releasably secured to a relatively thin element and a resilient mounting means for a wrist watch adapted to releasably support same on the clip.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new mounting means for supporting a wrist watch in which the watch can be conveniently and easily mounted and removed therefrom.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a new mounting means for a wrist watch or the like which will accept for mounting, without modification or adjustment, wrist watches of various models and shapes.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a new mounting means for a watch, which mounting means has a support that resiliently supports the watch to thereby insulate same from vibration, shock, etc.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mounting means for a watch, that is light in weight and is adapted to be inexpensively produced.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mounting means that is dependable in operation and which firmly secures a watch or the like on same.

Other objects and advantages of the new mounting means of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure.

Drawings accompany and are a part of this disclosure. These drawings depict preferred specific embodiments of the new mounting means of my invention and it is to be understood that such drawings are not to unduly limit the scope of my invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred specific embodiment of the mounting means of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the combination of a watch and resilient mounting clamp of my invention preferably used as shown on a horizontal surface.

FIG. 4 is a side view of still another specific embodiment of my invention shown mounted on a tablet.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 having the watch removed.

FIG. 6 is a side view of still another specific embodiment of my invention.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new mounting means of my invention made with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. The discussion and description is of preferred specific embodiments of the mounting means of my invention and it is to be understood that such is not to unduly limit the scope of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. l3 illustrate a preferred specific embodiment of my watch mounting .device 10, and elements thereof. The watch mounting device 10 of my invention has a clip 12 having upper and lower pivotally joined members 14 and 16. Each of opposed members 14 and 16 has a broad jaw portion 18 and a flat extending portion 20 with two opposite depending flanges 22 and aligned apertures therein. A shaft 24 is positioned in the aforementioned apertures in flanges 22 and serves to pivotally connect members 14 and 16 in assembled relation. Preferably the lower member 16 is provided with apertures 26 in the flat extending portion 29 to enable the Clip to be mounted on a hook, nail or the like. As most clearly indicated in FIG. 2, a U-sha'ped leaf spring 30 is provided having end portion 32 and 34 in engagement with the flat extending portions 20 of upper and lower members 14 and 16. The U-shaped leaf spring 30 functions to urge the jaws 18 of the opposed members 14' and 16 into closed position. The spring 30 is secured in position in clip 12 by a rivet 36 which extends through the extending portion 20 of upper member 14. It is understood, however, that any suitable type spring or 6 urging means can be provided to apply a closing force to the members 14 and 16 of clip 12.

A mounting means 40 for a watch is secured to the aw portion 18 of the upper member 14 of clip 12. This mounting means 40 for a watch is a bowed resilient band like metal element having an outwardly positioned hook 42, a fiat: portion 44 having an aperture therethrough, a relatively large bow portion 46, and a second outwardly positioned hook 43. The mounting means 49 i secured to the upper member 14 of clip 12 with a rivet 49 positioned in the aperture in the fiat extending portion 44 and extending through the jaw portion 18 of member 14.

A Watch 50 is mounted on clip 12. The watch 50 has a case 52 having mounted thereon two pair of spaced projections 54 provided with aligned apertures therein. Two watch band type attaching pins 56 are positioned in the apertures in the respectively pairs of spaced projections 54. As indicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the watch 50 is supported in the mounting mean 40 with the outwardly directed hooks 42 and 48 engaging the pins 56. The resilient-band like metal element 40 is made so that the positioning of hooks 42 and 48 are spaced wider than the pins on the Watch case when the band element is in a relaxed position. To hook the Watch 50 on the band like element, the hook members 42 and 48 are squeezed together and the pins Simounted therein. The watch '51 has a face 58 having time indicating indicia thereon as illustrated in FIG. 1. The indicia is preferably marked off in the usual 12 equal intervals to indicate the time in the usual hours and minutes. The watch 50 is provided with a transparent crystal or the like which covers the watch face 58. The Watch crystal is preferably provided with indicia 59 which divides the circumference of the dial face into increments of 10. This can be done by cementing or otherwise connecting a transparent circular disc to the crystal which disc has indicia 59 thereon. If desired the indicia on the crystal can be applied directly to same by stamping, embossing, etc.

A holder for a writing instrument is mounted on the flat extending portion 2%), of the upper member 14. This holder has an upwardly extending base 60 secured to the upper member with rivet 36, which rivet also holds the leaf spring in position. A ball socket is provided in base 60, which receives a tubular shaped element 62 adapted to receive a pen 64, pencil or the like. The tubular shaped element 62 has a ball element 66 on the lower end thereof received in the ball socket in base 69. This arrangement provides a universal mounting arrangement for the writing instrument holder. is adapted in use to be releasably attached to a writing board, pad of paper, or any element having a relatively small thickness, which mounting device in use will maintain the watch in a convenient and accessible position for the user thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates the mounting element 49 of my in vention in use supporting a watch in a viewing position on a horizontal surface. The mounting element 46 can be secured to the surface with a bolt, screw, etc., or used as a movable base. Further, the element can also be affixed to other suitable supporting base if desired. The weight and center of gravity of the watch has been found to make the structure of FIG. 3 quite stable on a horizontal surface.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 is illustrated another preferred specific embodiment 70 of the watch mounting device of my invention. The watch mounting device 76 has a unitary resilient spring clip 72 formed of thin sheet metal having a generally triangular cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The spring clip 72 has a slightly inwardly bowed central portion 74, and two opposed slightly inwardly bowed and inwardly biased leg portions 76 and 78. The ends of legs portions 76 and 78 form two opposed jaws which can be clamped over a tablet 80, or similar element.

' As' more clearly shown in FIG. 5, the ends of legs 76 and 78- are each provided with spaced eyelets $2 and 84, and

The mounting device a centrally positioned hook 36. Two levers 88 are provided. The levers 88 each have a loop shaped central portion and transverse axially aligned end portions 89 pivotally disposed in spaced eyelets 82 and 84. The intermediate portion of lever 88 contacts the sides of clip 72 and serve as a convenient means for opening the jaws of same. The structure of the clip per se is well known in the art. In combination with clip means 72 is provided a mounting means for supporting a watch 59 having a case 52 of the same general type described in connection with the first embodiment 1%. The mounting means 90 for supporting the watch 50 is a generally bowed resilient band like metal element that is secured to the spring clip 72. The metal element has an outwardly positioned hook 42, a folded portion 92 terminating in a projection adjacent the book 42, a flat intermediate portion 94 and a bowed portion 96, and an end outwardly positioned hook 423. A punched finger-like hook 98 is provided in the intermediate portion 94. The hook 98 is bent around the loop portion of lever 88. With the folded portion 92 positioned in the centrally positioned hook 86 and the finger like portion 98 encircling lever 88 the metal element is securely connected to clip 72. The watch 50 can be mounted in the watch mounting means by forcing the hooks 42. and 43 together and engaging same with the pins 56 of the watch in a manner described in connection with the previous embodiment. My watch mounting device can be releasably secured to a writing board, pad of paper, or the like to maintain the watch in a holder in a convenient and accessible position.

In FIG. 6 is illustrated still another specific embodiment of my new watch mounting device. The watch mounting device 100 shown is a unitary resilient spring clip having a first hook 42 connected to a U-shaped portion having legs 1G1 and 103. A flat portion 104 is joined to the end or" leg 103 and extends in the opposite parallel direction. A curved portion 106 having a hook 4% on the end is connected to fiat portion 104. It is apparent that my mounting device is adapted to mount a wrist watch on hooks 42 and 48 in basically the same manner as described in my aforementioned embodiments. Watch mounting device can be secured to'a pad or the like when the pad is inserted in slot 102 formed between the leg portions 101 and 163 of the U-shaped portion. The watch mounting device 100 can be made of any suitable resilient material in any suitable width. Preferably the watch mounting device 100 is formed of a resilient metal although plastic can be utilized if desired.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications of the preferred mounting means of my invention as described herein can be made or followed without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A watch mounting device comprising, a clip having upper end lower pivotally joined opposed members, each member having a broad jaw portion, a flat extending lever portion opposite said jaw portion, and two opposite depending flanges on said extending lever portion having aligned apertures, a shaft having end portions positioned in said aperture in said flanges pivotally connecting said members in assembled relation, a U-shaped leaf spring having end portions in engagement with said fiat extending portions of said opposed members urging said jaws in closed position, a watch having a case, said case having mounted thereon two pair of spaced projections with aligned apertures therein, two watch band type attaching pins positioned in the apertures in the respective pairs of spaced projections, a mounting means for said Watch secured to the jaw portion of the upper member of said clip, said mounting means comprising, a bowed resilient band-like metal element having a first outwardly positioned hook, a flat portion having an aperture, a relatively large bowed portion, and a second outwardly positioned hook, said first and said second hooks being positioned in engagement with said attaching pins of said watch, a rivet positioned in said aperture in said fiat portion of said mounting means and an aperture in the jaw portion of said upper member securing said mounting member to said upper member, a holder mounted on said flat extending portion of said upper member, said holder having an upwardly extending base secured to said upper member having a ball socket, a rivet connecting said base, said upper member, and one leg of said spring in assembled relation, a tubular shaped element to receive a pen or the like having a ball element on thelower end thereof positioned in adjustable relation in said ball socket, said mounting device adapted in use to be releasably attached to a writing board, pad of paper, or the like, to maintain said watch, and a pen, pencil or the like in said holder in convenient and accessible position.

2. A mounting device comprising, a clip having upper and lower pivotally joined opposed members, each memer having a jaw portion, a flat extending portion opposite said jaw portion, and spaced transversely extending projecting portions having aligned apertures, a shaft positioned in said apertures in said projecting portions pivotally connecting said members, a spring means engaging said members urging said jaws in closed position, a watch having a case, said case having mounted thereon two pair of spaced projections with aligned apertures therein, two watch band type attaching pins positioned in the apertures in the respective pairs of spaced projections, a mounting means for said watch secured to the upper member of said clip, said mounting means having a first outwardly positioned hook, a relatively large bowed intermediate portion, and a secondoutwardly positioned hook, said first and said second hooks being positioned in engagement with said attaching pins, means securing said mounting means to said upper member of said clip, said mounting device adapted in use to be releasably attached to a board, pad of paper, or the like, to maintain said watch in a convenient and accessible position.

3. A watch mounting device comprising, a unitary resilient spring clip formed of sheet metal having a generally triangular transverse cross section, said spring clip having a slightly inwardly bowed central portion, two opposed slightly inwardly bowed inwardly biased leg portions forming the jaws of said spring clip, spaced eyelets on the ends of each of said legs, and a centrally positioned hook, two levers, each lever having a loop-shaped central portion and transverse axially aligned end portions, said levers pivotally secured to respective leg portions of said spring clip with said end portions positioned in said spaced eyelets, a watch having a case, said case having mounted thereon two pair of spaced projections 'with aligned apertures therein, two watch band type attaching pins positioned in the apertures in the respective pairs of spaced projections, a mounting means for said watch on said spring clip, said mounting means comprising, a generally bowed resilient band like metal element having a first outwardly positioned hook, a folded portion terminating in a projection adjacent said first hook, a flat intermediate portion, a punched finger-like hook in said intermediate portion, a bowed portion, and a second outwardly positioned hook member, said first and said second hooks being resiliently biased apart by said bowed portion and positioned in engagement with said attaching pins of said watch, said folded portion being positioned in engagement with a centrally positioned hook on one of the legs of said spring clip and with the finger-like projection bent in securing engagement over the loop-shaped portion of one of said levers, said mounting device adapted in use to be releasably secured to a board, pad of paper or the like, to maintain said watch in said holder in a convenient and accessible position.

4. A mounting device comprising, a unitary spring clip having a generally triangular transverse cross section, said spring clip having a broad central portion, two opposed leg portions forming the jaws of said clip, spaced eyelets on the ends of each of said legs, and centrally positioned hooks, two levers, each having a central portion and axially extending end portions positioned in said spaced eyelets of the respective leg portions of said spring clip, a watch having a case, said case having two pair of spaced projections with aligned apertures therein, two attaching pins positioned in the apertures in the respective pairs of said spaced projections, a mounting means for said watch on said spring clip comprising, a bowed resilient metal element having a first outwardly positioned hook, a central portion, and a second outwardly positioned hook, means securing said mounting means to one of said levers and the associated centrally positioned hook of the spring clip, said first and said second hooks being positioned in engagement with said attaching pins of said watch, said mounting device adapted in use to be releasably secured to a board, pad of paper or the like, to maintain said watch in said holder in an accessible position.

5. A watch mounting device comprising, a unitary resilient spring clip having a first hook, a U-shaped portion connected to said first hook, a curved portion connected to said U-shaped portion, and a second hook disposed on an end of said curved portion in spaced relation to said first hook, said mounting device adapted in use to be secured to a pad or the like and have a watch resiliently mounted on said first and second hooks.

6. A mounting device, comprising, in combination, a clip means having resiliently biased jaws, a watch means having a case, said case having mounted thereon two pair of spaced projections with aligned apertures therein, two attaching pins positioned in the apertures in the respective pairs of said spaced projections, a resilient mounting element on said clip means, said resilient mounting element having hooks on each end thereof positioned in engagement with said pins on said watch case, and a means for mounting a writing instrument on said clip means adjacent the mounting means for said watch means, said mounting device adapted in use to be attached to a board, pad of paper or the like and maintain said watch in a convenient position.

'7. A mounting device, comprising, in combination, means to removably receive, mount and hold a pad of paper or the like, a watch means having a case having oppositely thereon spaced projections with apertures therein, each of the opposite spaced projections having an attaching pin mounted in the apertures therein, a resilient mounting element on said means to removably receive, mount and hold a pad of paper or the like, said resilient mounting element having hooks on each end thereof in engagement with the pins in said watch case, and a means for mounting a writing instrument on said means to removably receive, mount and hold a pad of paper or the like adjacent the resilient mounting means for the watch, said mounting device adapted in use to maintain a pad of paper or the like, a watch, and a Writing instrument in a convenient position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,315,326 9/1919 Palis 248- 1,559,952 11/ 1925 French 248-115 1,801,310 4/ 193 1 'I-Ieagney 108 1,874,813 8/ 1932 Saunders 2481 15 2,551,515 5/ 1951 Tschirf 224-4 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

K. J. WINGERT, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIGN Patent No". 3,312,435 April 4, 1967 Harold H. Malone It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 16, strike out "is"; column 3, line 17, 01 "respectively" read respective column 4, line 57, for "end" read and Signed and sealed this 7th day of November 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer 

1. A WATCH MOUNTING DEVICE COMPRISING, A CLIP HAVING UPPER END LOWER PIVOTALLY JOINED OPPOSED MEMBERS, EACH MEMBER HAVING A BROAD JAW PORTION, A FLAT EXTENDING LEVER PORTION OPPOSITE SAID JAW PORTION, AND TWO OPPOSITE DEPENDING FLANGES ON SAID EXTENDING LEVER PORTION HAVING ALIGNED APERTURES, A SHAFT HAVING END PORTIONS POSITIONED IN SAID APERTURE IN SAID FLANGES PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID MEMBERS IN ASSEMBLED RELATION, A U-SHAPED LEAF SPRING HAVING END PORTIONS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FLAT EXTENDING PORTIONS OF SAID OPPOSED MEMBERS URGING SAID JAWS IN CLOSED POSITION, A WATCH HAVING A CASE, SAID CASE HAVING MOUNTED THEREON TWO PAIR OF SPACED PROJECTIONS WITH ALIGNED APERTURES THEREIN, TWO WATCH BAND TYPE ATTACHING PINS POSITIONED IN THE APERTURES IN THE RESPECTIVE PAIRS OF SPACED PROJECTIONS, A MOUNTING MEANS FOR SAID WATCH SECURED TO THE JAW PORTION OF THE UPPER MEMBER OF SAID CLIP, SAID MOUNTING MEANS COMPRISING, A BOWED RESILIENT BAND-LIKE METAL ELEMENT HAVING A FIRST OUTWARDLY POSITIONED HOOK, A FLAT PORTION HAVING AN APERTURE, A RELATIVELY LARGE BOWED PORTION, AND A SECOND OUTWARDLY POSITIONED HOOK, SAID FIRST AND SAID SECOND HOOKS BEING POSITIONED IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ATTACHING PINS OF SAID WATCH, A RIVET POSITIONED IN SAID APERTURE IN SAID FLAT PORTION OF SAID MOUNTING MEANS AND AN APERTURE IN THE JAW PORTION OF SAID UPPER MEMBER SECURING SAID MOUNTING MEMBER TO SAID UPPER MEMBER, A HOLDER MOUNTED ON SAID FLAT EXTENDING PORTION OF SAID UPPER MEMBER, SAID HOLDER HAVING AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING BASE SECURED TO SAID UPPER MEMBER HAVING A BALL SOCKET, A RIVET CONNECTING SAID BASE, SAID UPPER MEMBER, AND ONE LEG OF SAID SPRING IN ASSEMBLED RELATION, A TUBULAR SHAPED ELEMENT TO RECEIVE A PEN OR THE LIKE HAVING A BALL ELEMENT ON THE LOWER END THEREOF POSITIONED IN ADJUSTABLE RELATION IN SAID BALL SOCKET, SAID MOUNTING DEVICE ADAPTED IN USE TO BE RELEASABLY ATTACHED TO A WRITING BOARD, PAD OF PAPER, OR THE LIKE, TO MAINTAIN SAID WATCH, AND A PEN, PENCIL OR THE LIKE IN SAID HOLDER IN CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE POSITION. 